Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Ballas says she is afraid to leave her own home after receiving death threats and “pictures of coffins” from online trolls
Shirley Ballas says vile death threats have left her afraid to leave her own home – barely more than two weeks after returning to Strictly Come Dancing.
The professional dancer has resumed her role as a judge on the long-running BBC show after it returned for its twenty-first season on September 23rd.
But sinister social media messages aimed at 63-year-old Ballas – many of them threatening or sexual in nature – have raised concerns about her safety and made her fear that people are “lurking in dark corners or hiding behind walls.” .
Appearing on new show Olivia Attwood vs The Trolls, she said: “I had people dragging coffins in with me, with someone with a spade saying ‘Die, you bitch.’
“It’s when it comes to myself and my family and it affects my mental health. ‘I’m not just talking about your phone.’
Concern: Shirley Ballas says vile death threats have left her afraid to leave her own home – barely more than two weeks after returning to Strictly Come Dancing
She added: “I’m talking about being in public.” They worry about the same strange people who write messages like that.
“Are they lurking in dark corners? Do they hide behind walls when you go somewhere?’
Ballas admits she’s always on high alert because of the news – but also has some sympathy for those responsible.
“Sometimes I lie there at night and ask myself: Are they suffering?” Are they lonely? Is it funny for her?’ She said.
“This whole experience has made me a lot more alert.” I can’t say I’m leaving my front door if I don’t get to the point. I never relax. It’s completely changed my life, I would say.’
In August, Ballas recalled how she was forced to seek counseling after suffering a barrage of vile abuse during the final series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Although she returned to the series in 2023, she previously said that she even considered not coming back.